The freshman congresswoman noted balanced budgets are required in 49 states and that the national debt has risen $3 trillion in the last six years to nearly $9 trillion – reaching about $29,000 for every U.S. resident.

“If New York families have to balance their checkbook, so should the federal government.”Â Gillibrand said in a release. “The federal government’s spending habits are hurting our national security, by requiring us to borrow over 75% of our new debt, from countries such as China and Saudi Arabia.Â The deficit puts us at immediate risk from global political and economic problems, and I believe our children and grandchildren deserve more leadership and accountability.”

The bill allows exceptions for emergencies and war. Here’s the link to it.

Such proposals have been around for years, and this is undoubtedly a long way from happening, if ever. An amendment requires support from three-quarters of the states (38). Gillibrand’s bill, which has 30 28 co-sponsors, is the one of four balanced-budget amendments currently pending in the House.

The last amendment to the Constitution was the 27th, ratified in 1992. It restricts a sitting Congress from changing its own pay; a raise would have to take effect after the next congressional election. It was first proposedÂ as in the original Bill of Rights in 1789. So it tookÂ 203 years,Â give or take.Â

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